The new twin bore crossing of the river Thames will link the Greenwich Peninsula with the Royal Docks and provide a more reliable alternative to the frequently congested Blackwall Tunnel.

The Riverlinx consortium – comprising Aberdeen Standard Investments, BAM PPP / PGGM, Cintra, Macquarie Capital and SK Engineering & Construction – is set to deliver the £1Bn project.

“The Silvertown Tunnel, which is vital to support London's economy, has been designed to resolve the existing congestion problem around Blackwall, improve overall air quality and enable new cross river bus routes to be introduced,” said Transport for London’s director of city planning Alex Williams.

However according to London Assembly transport committee member Caroline Russell of the Green Party the project “has no place in a city that recognises we are in a climate emergency”.

“We know new roads attract even more traffic,” she said. “We need more ways for people and goods to cross the river without using cars and vans.”

Transport for London argues that, by ‘effectively eliminating congestion’ at the Blackwall Tunnel, the new crossing will deliver an overall improvement in air quality when it opens in 2025 – later than originally hoped. User charges will also be introduced at both tunnels, which fall within the expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone.

TfL adds that around 37 buses an hour will use the new crossing in each direction, helping to improve cross river public transport connections.

Also commenting on the scheme, London Assembly transport committee chair Florence Eshalomi said: “The Mayor believes the Silvertown Tunnel project will improve cross river connectivity in east London and reduce congestion. We are also aware that some believe the scheme will encourage more traffic and increase air pollution.”

She added: “It is our understanding that TfL will only start paying for the tunnel once it is completed and operational, however, the transport committee needs to keep a close eye on progress with this project and we will be asking questions every step of the way.”

TfL claims that its design, build, finance and maintain approach to procurement shifts financial risks onto the private sector while incentivising contractors to deliver the scheme as efficiently as possible.

(Image: TfL)